If you’ve ever wished for the classic comfort of chocolate chip cookies but crave the ease of bar baking, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. It delivers all the buttery, chewy goodness of your favorite cookie in a simple, slice-and-serve format that’s perfect for sharing or keeping as a sweet treat just for yourself. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a kitchen newbie, this recipe combines accessible ingredients and straightforward instructions to create a dessert that’s guaranteed to make every day a little sweeter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe plays a vital role, building layers of flavor and texture that come together beautifully. From the richness of melted butter to the subtle crunch of baking soda and the star attraction, the chocolate chips, these basics are all you need for an irresistible treat.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled: Provides a rich, tender crumb and helps keep the bars wonderfully chewy.
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that deepens the cookie’s taste.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crisp edge on the bars.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture for the perfect texture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Lifts the flavors, infusing warmth and aromatic complexity.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to your bars.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bars rise slightly and stay light without being cakey.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star of the show, melting into gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper – this little prep step makes for easy cleanup and ensures your bars will lift out neatly once baked.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together that melted, slightly cooled butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and velvety. Adding the eggs and vanilla extract next, stir everything until fully combined to create a luscious base ready to meet the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures each bite of your Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe has an even distribution of rise and flavor—no funky pockets of baking soda here!
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding carefully until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough bars, so gentle is the way to go.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Now comes the fun part: folding in those chocolate chips. Swirling pockets of melted chocolate throughout the dough will give your bars that irresistible melty texture everyone loves.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll want to watch for golden brown edges and test with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs for that perfect chewy texture.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan—that’s key for clean, perfect slices. Once cooled, cut into squares and get ready to enjoy the ultimate homemade chocolate chip treat!
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking to elevate the flavors with a hint of savory magic. When serving, a dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely, delicate touch, or even a drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate creates a fancy finish that impresses every time.
Side Dishes
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars pair beautifully with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a comforting dessert. For a refreshing contrast, fresh berries or a simple fruit salad add brightness and balance the rich sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into bite-sized squares for an irresistible party platter or sandwich them with marshmallows for a gooey chocolate chip bar s’mores twist. Another fun idea is to serve them warm with a side of hot coffee or milk for dipping—the ultimate nostalgic treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay deliciously fresh for up to 4 days, making them perfect for a quick snack or an impromptu dessert anytime.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen bars maintain their flavor and texture well for up to 3 months—ideal to keep your sweet tooth satisfied over time.
Reheating
To enjoy your Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe at their best, warm them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a low oven. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate that everyone loves.
FAQs
Can I substitute the chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips for chunks, white chocolate, nuts, or even dried fruit. Mixing them up keeps the recipe fresh and tailored to your taste.
How do I make the bars chewier?
For chewier bars, reduce the baking time slightly toward 25 minutes and be sure not to overbake them. The centers should remain just moist and tender.
Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum or another binder, you can enjoy gluten-free chocolate chip cookie bars with similar texture and taste.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty. Unsalted butter gives you better control over seasoning.
How long do these bars last without refrigeration?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll stay fresh for about 4 days. After that, refrigeration or freezing is recommended to keep them tasting their best.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy the classic cookie flavors with less fuss and plenty of love. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself coming back to this simple yet deeply satisfying dessert again and again. Go ahead and bake a batch—you’ll be handing out compliments along with every sweet, chocolate-studded slice.
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars that combine a rich, buttery base with gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, these bars offer the beloved flavors of a chocolate chip cookie in a convenient bar form, making them ideal for dessert or snack time.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cookie bars.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the wet mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and keep the bars tender.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Carefully fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Spread and bake: Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan to set before cutting into 24 bars and serving.
Notes
- For chewier bars, bake closer to 25 minutes, removing them slightly earlier.
- Chocolate chips can be replaced with chunks, white chocolate, or a mix for different flavor variations.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking to enhance and elevate the flavor profile.
